In this final section of the Nikon D800 lens test review, we’ll be looking at the wide-angle lenses. For clarity, we are classing any lens with a focal length up to 35mm as wide-angle. Within this we have broken lenses down into the ultra-wides with focal lengths below 21mm, wide-angle between 21mm and 35mm and zoom wide-angles with a focal length up to 35mm.

The thing to remember is that with these categories, zoom lenses will always score lower than prime lenses. This is a function of the optical design limits of wide-angle lenses, though it should be noted that some prime wide-angles do manage to score almost as well as standard prime lenses.

Compared to the whole database, wide-angle lenses, and especially wide-angle zoom lenses, score lower than most other focal lengths.

The reasons for the lower wide-angle scores are simple – wide angles tend to suffer more with distortion, vignetting and sharpness across the frame. In the ultra-wide angle lenses, the differences are very marked, with ultra-wide angle zoom lenses scoring 20% lower than the better wide-angle prime lenses – a very significant drop. However, if you need an ultra-wide angle lens, this is something you will have to accept.

Within the wide-angle classes, the zooms and the ultra-wides are clearly the worst performers due to limitations in optical design and the constraints of building wide-angle lenses.

If you are looking for an ultra-wide angle lens, then for the best image quality, the Carl Zeiss Distagon 15mm f/2.8 offers the highest sharpness levels, with a P-Mpix score of 17. The one thing to remember with this lens though, is that it does not offer any AF as it is a manual lens. Provided you are willing to work within these limitations, it is the best choice in terms of optical performance, with a DxOMark Overall score of 27 and a sharpness score of 17P-Mpix.

The Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZF2 is the best ultra-wide angle yet tested on the Nikon D800.

If you are looking for a lens that is not as expensive, then for value for money, the Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DG ASP makes a good choice at substantially less cost than the Zeiss 15mm.

Wide-angle

Within the wide-angle lenses, the best overall score again comes from a non-Nikon lens in the shape of the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM A recently reviewed on our website. The second lens is the Carl Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 but as with the previous Carl Zeiss lens, this is a manual model with no AF.

Behind the stellar Sigma 35mm f/1.4, it’s tough to choose a specific model. The Zeiss and Samyang tied on DxOMark scores, Nikon offers 2 very good lenses with autofocus.

For value for money choices, the Nikon AF-S 28mm f/1.8G and the Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC are both worth considering, the Nikon model actually being the best of the three in terms of sharpness, scoring 21P-Mpix to the Zeiss lens’ 17P-Mpix.

Interestingly, the Samyang does make a very compelling argument – it is a little lower placed in terms of sharpness, scoring 15P-Mpix, however it matches the other two lenses very well in all other areas. Given the low price of $599 (compared to the $1843 for the Zeiss and $699 for the Nikon) it offers very good value for money – provided you are willing to sacrifice autofocus.

The Nikon is probably the best all-rounder of the three. While it may not match the sharpness of the Zeiss, and its transmission score is lower than both the Zeiss and the Samyang, the fact it is a dedicated lens, with full autofocus may well make it the best choice in real-world use.

As far as IQ is concerned, the 14-24mm f/2.8 is a stellar performer for this range of focal length. This zoom is the only one that competes with the better primes. Despite its higher price tag, its high scores in image quality definitely justify purchasing this lens.

In terms of sharpness, both the Tokina AT-X 16-28mm f/2.8 PRO FX Nikon and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR lenses are evenly matched on 14P-Mpix. However, the faster maximum aperture of the Tokina and the lower distortion and chromatic aberration scores see it come out as the best choice scoring 24 to the Nikon’s 23. The fact that it is nearly $400 cheaper ($849 vs $1260) merely serves to make it an even better value for money option. In the Nikon’s favor though, there is a vibration reduction system included, though this is usually less useful in wide-angle shooting.

Conclusion

Depending on your preferences for primes vs. zooms, you’ll make your own mind up about which lenses to select from this group. However, if you are looking for the best quality, the general advice is to stick to the prime lens options.

Throughout these Nikon D800 lens tests, we have given you an overview of which lenses are best when matched to the high resolution sensor on the camera. The over-riding lesson is that the sensor is very demanding on lenses and while manufacturer own lenses are well regarded, if you’re looking for the highest image quality, then it pays to look to some of the third party options as well.

Further readings for the Which lenses for your Nikon D800?

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

After evaluating the performance characteristics of lenses mounted on full-frame models such as Nikon D800 and D600, as well as the Canon EOS 5D Mk III, we’ve now had the opportunity to analyze a range of lenses on the Sony SLT-A99. In this concise report, we’ll see how well the combination of Sony’s high-end image sensor and the latest Alpha mount lenses perform.

Following on from our series of selecting the best lenses for the Nikon D800 with its potential for massively detailed images from the 36Mpix sensor, we’ve now turned our attention to that camera’s younger sibling, the 24Mpix D600.

First replies for this comment

Re: How about an update to this article?

Hi,You might have noticed that we do not propose updates to our reviews, but all the results can be found for the D800 on our rating page. This is where you will find the current best lenses: http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Ratings

First replies for this comment

Re: D800E

Hello,

Thanks for your message.

The ranking should be close to the current one of the Nikon D800.But the Nikon D800E should score higher on a lot of lens and some lenses could show their own limitation, but for now we cannot tell which one.The D800E lens recommendation is planned too but we will have to assess a maximum of new cameras before perfoming test on the D800E.

Re: D800E

Will the Tamron SP 24-70 f/2.8 for the Nikon D800e be close in scores to the D800? The scores with the D800 body with Tamron SP 24-70 looks to be higher than the Canon 5DM3 with the Tamron SP 24-70. Although, I'm curious also about the Sony A7r with the Tamron SP 24-70 for Sony mount. Any way we can try and test the Tamron SP 24-70 with the D800e and Sony A7r?Thank you!

Re: D800E

Hello,

Very good question,we are currently testing A7 and A7r so the first results should be available within 2 weeks. D800e is now pretty old we will try to do it but the top priorities are the new lenses and the new cameras (and some other old missing lenses).

50mm F1.4 G on D800 and on D700

I see that on the Nikon D700(and on Nikon D3), the best 50mm is the Nikkor 50mm F1.8 G, while on the Nikon D800(and on the Nikon D600) the best 50mm is the Nikkor 50mm F1.4G. What is the reason for these results? Why the 50mm F1.4G, mounted on the Nikon D800, wins against the Nikkor 50mm F1.8G, but not if mounted on the D700 or on the Nikon D3?

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D ED Macro

Thank you DXO for being a nuetral body and providing qualitative and detail report on primary aspect of Camera peformance. I am planning to upgrade to d800e and wanted to know whether Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D ED Macro is a perfect lense for it? Thank you again.

Sigma 120-300mm conspicuously absent

Whereas the holy trinity lenses rightly garner much attention, there is a significant dichotomy between them and the so-called super-zooms. Sigma, for instance, has a 120-300mm f/2.8 lens that continues to garner largely favorable reviews, yet has been completely marginalized by this site. Most curious indeed!

Older Lenses

I've been surfing for a Nikkor 75-150mm f/3.5 Series E but was wondering if these older lenses work on D800 bodies? What are the drawbacks to using "retro" or retired lenses that were once only used for film? Do they even fit and connect?

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

Hello!Excuse me but I don't understand the scores of Nikon 24-70f2,8 ED. You mention that Sigma "scores a very poor 26µm" in chromatic aberation - what about the 31µm of Nikon 24-70f2,8 ED. How can it have score 28 while the Sigma with with similar or even better numbers scores just 23?

First replies for this comment

Re: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

Hello!

Thanks for your interest in DxOMark.

Chromatic aberration is not taken into account for dxomark score, for more information see our documentation: http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/About/Lens-scoresExcept chromatic aberration, these two lenses have close measurement results. See the full comparison here: http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Compare-Camera-Lenses/Compare-lenses/%28lens1%29/885/%28lens2%29/175/%28brand1%29/Tamron/%28camera1%29/834/%28brand2%29/Nikkor/%28camera2%29/834

Nikkor AF-S 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G & Sigma 50-500 OS / pre-OS

It would be nice to see the results for the new Nikkor AF-S 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G, as it is supposed to be an excellent lens.

Also, I'm sure many people are curious about the results for the Sigma 50-500 (new OS & older pre-OS version). If you really want the reach at an affordable price, it is a lens you'd be interested in.

I am interested in questions like, "is the Sigma 50-500 at 500mm worse than the new Nikkor 80-400 at 400mm with cropping for same FOV?" and "is the Sigma 50-500 at 500mm worse than the Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8G with a 2x teleconverter at '400mm' and cropped for the same FOV?"

Re: Nikkor AF-S 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G & Sigma 50-500 OS / pre-OS

D800 and ultra wide; no Nikon 14mm f/2.8 D AF ED

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Publications/DxOMark-Reviews/Which-lenses-for-your-Nikon-D800">this page on the website</a></div>

Hi, thank you for running your test. I noticed that you didn't include the 'Nikon 14mm f/2.8 D AF ED Lens' in your test, is there a specific reason for this? I noticed that this lense is also not on nikons revised 'lenses to get the highest res from your d800e' list.

Would it be possible to either include it here or run a separate test of the 'Nikon 14mm f/2.8 D AF ED Lens' and the d800.

First replies for this comment

Re: 24mm PC-E

Standard zooms need Tamron 24-70 and Nikon 24-85

I do not think that standard zoom comparison is complete without Tamron 24-70 and Nikon 24-85. Nikon 24-70 would probably remain at the top, but the rest of the standard zooms would most likely need move down. I understand that Tamron 24-70 for Nikon mount is relatively new, but it is a bit puzzling why DXO Mark still have not tested Nikon 24-85.

D600 tests

This series is sure to become an invaluable resource for photographers for years to come. Thank you for not only doing these detailed camera and lens tests, but for comparing the results in a highly useful way.

As a D600 owner, I eagerly await the next set of tests to see what works best for my own camera. I'm very curious to see what happens. At 24 vs 36MP, I can't imagine the D600 results being any different from these D800 tests; the D600 should be a less demanding camera, so I expect the differences between these lenses should become less apparent. But then again, we might find a few surprises.

Re: D600 tests

Zeiss lenses

A huge, big thank you to DxOMark for publishing such a fabulous amount of informative work.Can someone please, please tell me why they buy Zeiss lenses when on the surface of it they are outperformed by the competition, both optically and on price? What do Zeiss have that other lenses don't have? I'd love to buy a Zeiss but am afraid because of the above.Many thanks for replying.

green problems on Nikon D800 and D600?

Thank you for your site and reviews. There is nothing like it anywhere. Frankly speaking I would not buy any photo gears before I check with your site first. You have done incredible job to compare Nikon D800 and Canon 5D3. I read reviews that Nikon D800/D600 got problems with green, but none of these reviews use Sigma 35mm, f1.4, did your test show any problem with colors on these cameras with that lens? Does your test on Nikon D600 with that same lens perform as amazingly? Can you comment on Nikon D600 and D800 new firmware such as eliminating problems with colors and such?

Bravo for getting the 14-24 done

suggestion to improve lens metric charts

It would be helpful to indicate below each lens metric bar graph whether a shorter or longer blue bar represents better or worse score. You already do this for the DxOMark. It would be nice to have the same for each individual lens metric. Thanks.

2 useful lenses to benchmark

Thank you very much for your detailed analysis based on hard data. Everyone has an opinion on the sharpness, quality, and value of certain lenses. There's merit to what people write in subjective reviews, but having objective data is very helpful.

It would be helpful to add Nikon's 24-85mm AF-S 3.5-4.5 G standard kit zoom lens to the analysis. The reason for this is that many D600 and some D800 users probably own this lens. Adding this lens to this report would give readers a sense of how much improvement there would be when upgrading from the standard kit lens to something better.

Finally, it would be nice if you could also add the Nikkor AF DC 105mm F2.0/D lens (the one with defocus control) as well.

Bias against macro lenses?

Hi,I think that your score rating is biased against lenses with high apertures (typically macro lenses) The sigma 105 mm is better or equal to Samyang 85 mm at equivalent apertures (according to your review), yet the Samyang has much higher score. It seems that this is because Sigma allows high apertures to f/36 (being a macro lens), which are heavily affected by diffraction. Averaging these high apertures into the overall score leads to lower rating? Samyang is better, because it goes to f/22 only!?

First replies for this comment

Re: Bias against macro lenses?

Hello,

Thanks for your interest in DxOMark.

We rank lenses with two main scoring systems: DxOMark score and Sharpness score. For both, we compute each score for each couple focal/aperture, take the best for each score and average each focal results (see our documentation http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/About/Lens-scores).

As the use case for DxOMark is more challenging the lens with wider aperture mounted on camera with a good performance in lowlight will score higher.For sharpness, we only take the best aperture for each focal.So the high apertures are mostly not taken into account for the two scores as these apertures do not provide the best score (neither DxOmark score nor Sharpness score) because of the diffraction impact.In the case you report, the Samyang achieves a higher DxOMark score (because of its wider aperture) but gets the same sharpness score (their best sharpness is very close).I hope you will find these few lines useful.

Nikkor 70-200mm F2.8 VRII and Nikkor 14-24mm

I don't believe that the long time awaited Nikkor 70-200mm VRII test will come (see old comments in the database). A lot ot members asked for it a long time ago and still nothing happens! If you don't believe me go and search in the database.

And some of my questions were not replied! It looks like the lens "Nikkor 70-200mm F2.8 VRII" shouldn't be mentioned anymore.

Re: Nikkor 70-200mm F2.8 VRII and Nikkor 14-24mm

"The reason we could not published the 70-200 f/2.8 VR II test results is that we encountered many problems with bad samples."

Very interesting! I just got through casually testing my old (90's era) Nikon 80-200mm against Nikon's latest 70-200mm (rented from Samy's Los Angeles store for a shoot tonight) and immediately came to this site to help determine if I have a rental lens that needs servicing.

I certainly hope this is the case as my old lens is noticeably sharper!

Sigma 20mm 1.8?

I own the Sigma 20mm 1.8 and it tends to be soft in the corners in FX use, which has been reported by others. So I don't understand how to take the high marks in this report. The lens works well otherwise but certainly isn't a match for the Nikon 14-24mm set at 20mm which holds sharpness well edge to edge. The Sigma is better in DX mode where the edges remain sharp.

14-24mm and 70-200mm vrii

I think the commentary on this subject has veered toward vitriolic because these two lenses (1) are among the very best lenses that Nikon makes; (2) have been out for years, and reviewed by everyone else; and especially, (3) nothing compelled DXO Mark to publish a "best lenses" review now. By publishing ahead of testing these two lenses, you've provided nothing of value to your readers; on the contrary, you've misled them. Sadly for those of us who love DXO Mark, this bad judgment has needlessly damaged DXO Mark's credibility.

With or without DxO Optics Pro 8 | Elite

Great start! I understand more lenses will be tested, and I'm looking forward to seeing the results. Meanwhile, here is another question: would it make sense to publish 2 sets of results, one with and one without DxO Optics Pro 8 Elite in use? Just thinking: if today's lens designers trade distortion for sharpness, on the premise that the former can be corrected in post processing, I would love to know how the lenses stack up after DxO has done the best it can to eke out maximum image quality.

more teles

Thanks for aggregating the data for us. I was hoping to see info about the teles I'm interested in, the 300mm AF-S (how does it compare to the 70-300 and 80-400 at 300mm?) and the difference between the new and old 80-400mm.Please consider adding tests of the 300mm and the 80-400mm in the future! Thanks!

Even though they are in a very different price range, data about the 200-400 and one of the f2.8 primes would also be interesting as a comparison. Definetly lower priority, though.

First replies for this comment

Re: Great job!

14-24 and 70-200 VRII missing - a catastrophe

It's deeply, deeply unfortunate that DXO decided to publish something as significant as the D800 lens test results in comparative form BEFORE the Nikkor 14-24 and 70-200 VRII have been tested - the consequence being that they cannot be included in the results.The result of this is that people, everywhere I read, on forums and blogs, say the same thing - that DXO has no credibility whatsoever any more since they don't have the most important lenses of all in their tests or results.After all, only a few (those that read ALL your info here on your site) are aware that you are in fact testing these lenses (or are about to).A bad mistake on your part, one that will take a long time to erase.The damage is already done and it's very sad. Even if you DO publish the results for these lenses later, it will just look like a desperate attempt to save your reputation.Your decision probably seems logical and reasonable to you, but not to anyone else.Goodwill (credibility in this case) is a very important and terribly fragile commodity.

First replies for this comment

Re: 14-24 and 70-200 VRII missing - a catastrophe

Why don't you go out and buy all the lenses and run your own group of tests and then setup a website and report back to us. Are you paying for this? Sound like a 4 year old that didn't get candy at the store. Yes those lenses should be included and I am sure they will be at some point. Hardly a catastrophe.

Re: More wide-angle primes measurements needed

functionality of this presentation

Maybe here in South Africa your site has some restrictions, the graphs above do not let you see the lens models when one clicks on the buttons. Otherwise a great research. Is DxO Mark available in German? Have a fiend who could benefit from it. Please clear my membership volger@vodamail.co.za; I could not log on.

What about the Tamron 24-70mm VC?

14-24mm

I would like to thank you for this resource--but...

I would like to request a review for the 14-24mm 2.8. This lens has been around for quite a while and I cannot understand why this lens is not in your database. I am especially eager to see how this lens performs on the d800. Thanks.

Re: 14-24mm

D800 and 70-200 2.8 VR II

Thank you DXO, a good job.

But it´s hard to understand, why 70-200 VR II is still not tested, after all this time.My experience in using the D800 and 70-200 VR II since March 29th last year is: it´s a dream team. So I think it would be great for your readers to get your results of testing.

Re: D800 and 70-200 2.8 VR II

D800E & 70-200 f/2.8 VR II & Sample Variability

You write "Perhaps with a slightly less restrictive AA filter, the efficiency results would have been improved." Well, Nikon has made checking on this very easy by providing the D800E. Why don't you pick one up and check ???

Also, why do you disgrace yourselves by not testing the 70-200 f/2.8 VR II so much time after it came out ???

Frankly, I think you're doing yourselves a major disservice by not being thorough and not testing the bodies and lenses people are most looking at.

Last, but not least, why don't you test a few copies of each lens and tell us how stable the results are ? We keep reading that Nikon's 16-35 is so hard to make right that one may need to test 3 or 4 before one finds a good copy. Is this indeed correct ? You could test this and really be informative.

Come on, DxOMark, you're nearly there. A couple more steps and you'll be THE reference everybody will be looking at.

Re: D800E & 70-200 f/2.8 VR II & Sample Variability

D800 vs. D800E

The reply button does not work, so here it goes on a new thread.The D800 may be more popular, still, given the findings, it might be interesting to see the results on the D800E, especially given that various manufacturers - including Nikon - are now introducing "cheaper" cameras without OLPF or with it "canceled out". It would give us roughly an idea how much this feature actually adds to IQ, supposing it does...Just my 2 cts.

70-200 f/2.8 VR II

I know that you have, for months, been saying that the 70-200 VR II will be tested in a matter of weeks...

But now you posted the results, comparing the new 70-200 f4, with themore than 11 years old 70-200 VR I.... !!

I cannot understand why You would post these results before having tested the less than 4 years old update to this lens. One of the mostpopular and important lenses in the pro-lineup. I honestly think This make You and your test look a bit ridiculous.... You have, for some reason, missed out on some of the greatest lenses in the first place, but now You make "Best Of" lists that, without them, seem inappropriate.

Re: 70-200 f/2.8 VR II

best lenses for nikon d600

hi,after check all the reviews about 5d mak3 d 800& d8ooe I buy d600 with 24-120 nano lens,now i waiting to buy two or three prime lenses and i need a good zoom lense too for my d600 in better budget, can u please help me regarding this.thanking you,

Nikon 80 - 400 and Sigma 50 - 500

This is really a perfect overview of lenses for D800. Thank you very much! I am just curious if you think of testing also new Nikkor 80-400 or Sigma 50-500. Would be nice to see how they perform in comparison with telephoto lenses in this review.

Tamron 24-70 2.8 VC

First replies for this comment

Re: Tamron 24-70 2.8 VC

Quote:

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Publications/DxOMark-Reviews/Which-lenses-for-your-Nikon-D800">this page on the website</a></div>Is there a reason the New Tamron 24-70 2.8 VC was not included in the standard zoom tests?

Re: where is my Nikkor 14-24 ?

I'm as interested as anyone to see DXOMark's survey of wide angle lenses for D800, but if you omit the 14-24mm you will mislead your readers about the best lenses for the camera and damage your credibility. Other leading equipment reviewers -- all but DXOMark -- reviewed it long ago. And they all seem to agree that it bests most of the wide-angle primes for Nikon FX. How you've ignored this lens for so long, while reviewing so many less significant ones, is hard to understand.

Re: where is my Nikkor 14-24 ?

Hello,

You are right and we will of course talk about this lens in our DXOMark's survey focusing on wide angle. This lens is currently in our road map and we will try to publish the results very soon (should take about one month).

First replies for this comment

Re: This confirms my sense that ...

Nikon 60mm F2.8 Micro?

The Nikon 60mm Micro is supposedly the best of the (currently available) Nikon Macros. Would be nice to see this added to the mix.Otherwise, thanks DXO for the article! Appreciated (and maybe overdue that you do this sort of article? :-))

Re: Nikon 60mm F2.8 Micro?

Bias of the lens rating

The sigma 105 mm is better or equal to Samyang 85 mm at equivalent apertures (according to your review), yet the Samyang has much higher score. It seems that this is because Sigma allows high apertures to f/36 (being a macro lens), which are heavily affected by diffraction. Samyang is better, because it goes to f/22 only!?

Re: 70-200 VR II

Confusing results for “Standard Zoom Lenses”?

You indicate the Tamron “with a sharpness score of 13P-Mpix, beats the Nikon” yet the Nikon scored 15P-Mpix. Isn’t the Nikon’s higher number better?

Also reviewing your “Lens Metric Scores” in the same “Standard Zoom Lens” Category, the Sigma 24-70mm beats the Nikon in almost all of your tests ... for Sharpness, Transmission, Vignetting & Chromatic Aberration (and ties the Nikon for distortion) yet the Nikon has a much higher score of 28 vs the Sigma’s 23. How is this possible?

Re: Confusing results for “Standard Zoom Lenses”?

Re: Confusing results for “Standard Zoom Lenses”?

Hello,

Thank you for your interest in DxOMark.

Sharpness and Dxomark score differ slightly when considering sharpness in the field. The sharpness score tolerates a loss of sharpness in the corner when DxOMark score does not.If you take a look to the sharpness in the field for these two lenses, you will see that the Sigma lens loses some sharpness in corner hence the DxOMark score comparison.

Tamron SP 24-70 and Nikon D600?

Great article. Thank you for posting this!

Could you please add the Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 DI VC USD? It is the only image stabilized 24-70 lens out there currently.

Also, for those of us who are more interested in the cheaper D600 (probably more people than those interested in the D800 given the cost differential,) would it be possible to run these tests for that camera as well?